Danilo Santos de Miranda (1943–2023) was an important Brazilian cultural manager, born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro. A cultural leader with a degree in Philosophy, Administration and Social Sciences, he also pursued complementary studies in business management at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. He dedicated his career to the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) in São Paulo, where he began working in 1968 as a social advisor. In 1984, he assumed the position as Director of the institution, a role he held until his passing on October 29, 2023.
A humanist in essence, Danilo believed in the transformative power of culture, education, and social engagement. During his tenure, he significantly expanded Sesc’s cultural, sports, and educational activities, promoting well-being, inclusion, accessibility, and leisure aiming at social transformation. He viewed culture and education as facets of the same reality — a vision that guided all his actions within the institution.
He was Chairman of the Steering Committee of the World Cultural Forum in 2004 and Chairman of the Brazilian Commission of the Year of France in Brazil in 2009.
Throughout his career, Danilo enhanced active dialogue and collaboration with several international organizations that shared social well-being values, including, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA), the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), Art for the World, the World Leisure Organization (WLO), among others.
He played an important role in bringing to Brazil both the 1998 and 2018 WLO World Leisure Congresses, held at the Sesc/SP, events that had guests from all over the world, with the participation of more than a thousand people in each of them.
Mr. Miranda has also been consultant in several institutions, including the Fundação Itaú Cultural, the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo – MAM and Movimento Nossa São Paulo. He is a member of Art for the World, based in Switzerland, and a full member of ISPA – International Society for Performing Arts (USA). He was vice president of ICSW – International Council of Social Welfare from 2008 to 2010.
As a recognition of his profound contributions, Danilo Santos de Miranda was honored by different governments, such as Commander of the National Order of Merit of the French Government, the Grand Cross of the German Government, the National Order of Merit of the Belgian Crown and the Order of Infante Dom Henrique of Portugal. In 2022, he was one of the recipients of the Milú Villela Award.
His legacy lives on through the cultural and social initiatives he implemented, establishing Sesc/SP as a national and international reference in culture, education, and human development.
